When you have a potential loss to the tax payer of £75m, allegations of tax irregularities, political interference, alleged sporting malfeasance and stand of the brink of the largest corporate failure in Scottish history (discounting the bailed-out RBS) the profile of the story rises above the blogs and regular Scottish media.
Alex Thomson, chief correspondent for Channel 4 News, a man who reports from war zones, interviews prime ministers and presidents, decided to look into how the SFA were handling the current crisis in Scottish football. Yesterday he blogged on the subject, raising many of the questions we have asked in recent months.
On Twitter this morning he reported his experience in trying to get some sense out of the SFA, this is what he said:
“SFA say President Campbell Ogilvie is ‘distancing himself from the current Rangers investigation’ but did not explain how.
“Campbell Ogilvie ‘did not know’ about EBT contract when he was Rangers FC secretary?
“When we asked why not – that was his job – SFA said they didn’t know.
“SFA say their President and fmr Ranger secretary Campbell Ogilvie will not be interviewed by c4news about what he knew…
“SFA say their President Campbell Ogilvie ‘has no plans to stand aside from his job pending current Rangers probes…
“Interesting SFA have just accused me of ‘lying’, ‘pig-headedness’ and then put the phone down mid-conversation….
“all because I put their own statement back to them that Campbell Ogilvie denied knowing about EBTs at Rangers…
“And suggested there might be a perceived conflict of interest in his current position until the investigations are complete”
Three weeks ago we suggested that Ogilvie’s position as SFA president was untenable, saying “The association cannot have a president embroiled in a tax evasion scam which, even before a verdict has been decided, has already caused untold harm to his former club and the reputation Scottish football.”
The SFA have been able to dismiss pleas for sporting integrity and ethical standards from the blogsphere while the mainstream media have either chased the hapless fall-guy, Craig Whyte, or refused to take the Improper Registration of Rangers players seriously.
SFA chief executive, Stewart Regan, was flushed out his slumber by Mr Thomson’s comments this morning, Tweeting to the reporter, “Please could you confirm who you have spoken to. thank you.”
Stewart, if you really need to ask that question, you’re in more trouble than I thought. There are several thousand CQN’ers who could help answer that one.
Campbell Ogilvie and the SFA cannot hide from the facts of this crisis. He is president of the SFA and both he and the association must acknowledge there is work to do. We can only hope Uefa finally decide to take a look.
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Miki67
Good link that is the one with spelling mistake for oversees = overseas.
Not many will use this it has links to Paypal?
How come the Liverpool game is on Sky.
I thought you were not allowed to show domestic games on the night of CL games.
Or is that just a rule the SFA made up for us.
wonkyradar on 13 March, 2012 at 19:01 said:
Since Protestantism is a Christian religion then lack of Christianity cannot be the problem. I also accept that there are many elements of Christianity in other religions.
The problem is in the differences between those two branches of Christianity and do those difference mean a difference in how each apparently perceive wrongdoing?
If we accept there is a difference in that respect then that is the question.
So Rangers fans are donating to clowns now? Maybe they could make some money with the first team squad singing this as a fund raising opportunity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi6vAXv0KrA
VP-you have mail
I believe little blue Venusians will come to earth on12.12.12. and lead the huns to the Champions League.
How come?
Cause somedae told iz…thats being informed? Well thats the rationale of a Scottish sports reporter.
and Frank makes 4
Keevins now saying cant answer any legal or financial questions now,ffs they have been guessing for months.Irvine has cracked the whip.
Could someone post me a link or tell me what the Herald article was about?
1-0 Bayern! It was coming…
Don’t worry, I got it
lanarkcelt on 13 March, 2012 at 19:48 said:
For God’s sake we final;ly get an outsider to ask questions that the Scottish media have been avoiding like the plague (not moderately good points) and you focus on the term Old Firm?
He is English. not used to the nuances of Scottish football and deserves praise for addressing the major issues. To criticise him for that verges on the kind of stupdity we are used to from the Rangers support.
Lennybhoy
Look at it this way.
I offer you a job (I can’t, wish I could). You come to sign on the dotted line and the contract says your annual salary will be £50k. You pause and say you thought we had agreed £100k. I mention the EBT I’ve got set up.
“Any time you want a wee top-up, say up to £50k a year, the EBT is there for you to avail yourself of a loan,” I explain, nudging you on the arm and winking heavily.
“Ah,” says you. “A loan, right?” You nudge me back and give me a big wink.
“Exactly,” I say, smiling. “I think we understand each other very well.”
You will receive £100k a year, but only half of that will count as far as HMRC are concerned.
This is not illegal.
But let’s just say we didn’t understand each other and, at the crucial moment, you looked at me dead pan and wondered why I was nudging you on the arm and winking at you. You might be a footballer from, say, the Netherlands. You might ask outright if you will have to pay the loans back. I will try to reassure you and say ‘no’. At this point, you might get your agent involved. He might insist you have it in writing that you can take the EBT cash, but have written assurances that no one will ask you to pay that cash back.
If I am silly enough and complacent enough to give you those written assurances, I might have trouble convincing the tax authorities that my EBT was being run properly and that the extra money wasn’t a contractual payment just like your salary. If it is a contractual payment just like your salary, I should be deducting tax and NI on it and passing it along to HMRC.
If I don’t and they find out, they are likely to work out how much I should have paid over whatever period of time and ask me for it, plus interest, plus penalties.
If only I hadn’t put the assurances in writing, I’d say. If only HMRC hadn’t found out.
Would like to see Basel go through can’t stand Munich…
Lanarkcelt
His blog today[13/3/12] asks for the views of non rangers fans on punishments.
Bhoys
Was in the Irish centre in Camden on Saturday at a ST Patrick’s do, MC gave me two tips he said are good for a punt, I am not a gambler so have no idea, Cheltenham brindisi breeze and new years day.
Nae greeting if they don’t stoat!
Another day to remember in the Rangers saga ….
Dave King is subject to an investigation by the SA government, who read in the Scottish press that he was making a takeover bid for Rangers. (Thank you Jim Traynor. The irony is beautiful.)
Their great campaign launch is marred by a spelling mistake ….
…… and an error with the email address for donations has resulted in a lot of angry bears sending their money to a company in England which specialises in hiring out clowns. Yes, clowns. I am not joking.
I Just Can’t Get Enough.
They make the cast of The Muppets look well organised.
Cant be bothered reading back but are the ‘New’ Celtic fans trying to whitewash Catholicism from our history again and then suggesting it should be eradicated completely from our club.
These ate the ones that dont higher about religion but seem to have quite a high opinion about it…
Auld heid:
I really believe the problem is Orangeism and the triumphalistic mindset it fosters. Triumphalism is like an ideology. All ideologies facilitate certain capacities and actively exclude others- the psychology of triumphalism prevents any internalization of consequences or the acceptance of guilt. That is why so many huns resemble psychopaths: their sick little lodge and its retarded Victorian belief system encourages or “facilitates” certain capacities and character traits (behaviour) that resembles a delinquent form of recidivism ( psychopathy).
Still don’t think it has anything to do with religion ( unless it is a degenerate church organized by lower level types). But hey, that is only my modest if unqualified opinion.
Does anyone know what the legal time frame/timetable is for the Admin to give out/send out the list of creditors and what they are owed?
hamiltontim on 13 March, 2012 at 18:09 said:
Auldheid
Sorry busy afternoon so just trying to catch up.
The Protestant churches believe in contrition but not in absolution. Not sure if that helps.
————————————–
It is actually. Does forgiveness/absolution encourage one group to be more open about admitting wrongdoing and the other more reluctant to admit to it?
That is what I am getting at. I think folks core beliefs dictate ther behaviour.
Painting Ticketus blue
I guess Ticketus are joining the realm of the light blue knights to get any chance of their money back because they have a primary obligation to their investors.
Strange the paptalk loyal have not mentioned this yet
cap in hand to Hector in the last chance saloon csc
Holy Molly no the aul religion debate again.
What is the point?
MWD Forsees never ending circles.
James Forrest:
How can the sweet sweet maiden we tims call karma become any sweeter?
Clowns! Hahahahaha…
Lux Celt
My wording could have been better, having re read the initial post I appreciate that.
However, I can assure you that the post was in reference to the creation of the Protestant church, which by its very nature was anti Catholic and not Protestants themselves.
If my post offended you or anyone else then I apologise unreservedly though I would stand by the original intention of the post. It was a comment of an historical nature rather than a religious one believe it or not.
Surely tonight on 5Live nevin will get round to mentioning the sectarian singing at ibrox recently? He promised us all he’d do it every time, no?! Such a brave and principled wee man.
Paul67 – continued awesome. Well done (again!)
I posted this this morning, it might still be of interest…
From what I can see, the decision on the “daddy bear tax case” is being delayed until after the title party on March 25th.
The first reason seems pretty clear: to curb civil unrest, leading up to and including the Ipox match.
The second reason is more subtle…
It seems that new legislation, which becomes law on April 6th, means that any phoenix club trading under the same or similar name will be liable for any debts owed by the old liquidated club.
So, ideally, Hector doesn’t want them in the blender until after April 6th.
This is one reason they are trying to get a buyer ASAP.
A quick entrance into administration has always been Whyte’s plan.
As far back as November he started the alarm bells ringing – and if Rangers went into administration then, it could all be blamed on Murray. His non-payment of tax was provocative enough, but his ‘we turned down £9m for Jelavic’ was a blatant ‘come and get us’ to HMRC: he wanted HMRC to put Rangers into administration early in order to avoid the new law.
But hector didn’t bite.
He is biding his time and he’ll get his money.
oh, and Hector doesn’t do walking away.
;o)
This is entirely fictional and most certainly did not occur in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, 3pm today. Any similarity to any individuals whether real or imagined is entirely coincidental.
MINTY MOONBEAMS:- Gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed your lamb luncheon today.
JABBA THE HUTT:- It truly was most succulent as always, your eminence.
ION KING (bowing) :- I haven`t experienced such culinary delights since that memorable night in Jersey your lordship, ah those were the days. How is Mrs Jardel doing this weather?
INNES McANDYS:- Tae hell wi Jersey an aw that, the big hoose must stay open and naebuddy does lamb like Sir Moonbeams and theyre the bottom lines.
DAWWELL:- Most magnif, magni, ehrm pure dead good, your honour.
MINTY:- Ah, Penfold. You did not choke on the lamb. More`s the pity for you are the reason why we are gathered here today.
DAWWELL (gulping):- How do you mean?
MINTY:- Don`t take your wide-o tone with me. I`m not one of your SuperScoreboard callers that you get Flanders to cut off when you`re getting bossed about the airwaves.
JABBA:- My Lord Moonbeams, do not waste your breath on Brother Penfold. His careless tongue, that told the listeners of Radio Clyde about dual contracts, will be ripped asunder at Blackfriars at the appointed time.
MINTY:- Thank you Jabba, I always know I can rely on you.
JABBA (bowing):- You know that your every wish is my command. I hope that you noted that my column last Monday was word perfect as you dictated.
INNES McANDYS:- Haw, wait a minute, Brother Jabba. Do not neglect my efforts in spreading the truth of Sir Minty, nor the sterling work of Brother Leggo who unfortunately cannot be with us today.
MINTY:- Where is Leggo? I have a special task for him.
ION KING:- Ah, your worship…..there is a problem, we lost Leggo on Rose Street.
MINTY:- I knew that grog swilling imbecile couldn`t be relied upon….for every five bottles of whiskey that Oliver Reed drank, Leggo drank ten. What a man!
JABBA:- My liege, Sir Moonbeams, if I may be so bold, I would like to volunteer my humble services to assist you in whatever way I can.
INNES McANDYS:- Count me in tae, Minty, pal.
ION KING:- I`m im like Ted McMinn, Sir Moonbeams.
MINTY:- You know that our Enemy are gathering, that scurrilous lies are being posted forth about me, bombast about cheating and tax avoidance and such like…….lies that were given succour by our friend Penfold here!!
DAWWELL:- I have already apologised to the Brethren Sir Minty. I was operating under orders from our man in Johannesburg, Dave Ki……
MINTY:- Do not mention him or any £20 million.
JABBA:- Tis that pesky unseen hand at work, my Lord. The greats are never appreciated in their own lifetime. What do you want us to do for you?
MINTY:- Remember the muck raking that your rags did on Fergus McCann? The Saddam Hussein comparison? Or even the “Thugs and Thieves” story?
INNES McANDYS:- Ah, the halcyon days of Scottish journalism.
ION KING:- The glory days.
MINTY:- Well if you boys could see your way to dig about another fellow who has been throwing mud at me, he must have a mistress, maybe dodgy investments, get your photographers onto him, you might see him staggering drunk out of the Carfin Hibs club or something.
JABBA:- It would be our honour to assist.
DAWWELL:- So what does this guy look like? Where does he work?
MINTY:- He is middle aged, a short fellow, bespectacled, wears a bowler hat, carries a briefcase, works in London, answers to the name of Hector.
ION KING:- I`ll get our boys down South to get right onto this geezer, obviously we might not get away with any phone hacking at the minute, but leave it with us.
INNES McANDYS:- Hector? Whit kind of name is that? Gimme a good honest Crawford, Fraser or Campbell any day of the week.
MINTY: Aagggh – don`t mention Campbell. Now make haste and cover your work brothers. And remember if you don`t do as I say I`ll be speaking to your bosses.
wonkyradar on 13 March, 2012 at 20:06 said:
I would not equate Protestantism with Orangism, many good folk of the Protestant faith are not Orange. Are they less ready to admit to wrongdoing and if yes is it the lack of belief in absolution that makes this so?
What I think is stokeing the fire is the apparent absolute refusal to be contrite and instead try and prove wrong is actually right by contesting rules and principles that suggest wrong doing has occured..
Orangism is a different kettle of fish, one I have no wish to stew.
Hector:
I have been sucked into this debate and in agreement with you I am attempting to extricate myself from this myriad metaphysical web. I will use the ejector seat (bond style) if needs be.
By the way isn’t “malfeasance” a wonderful word to describe der hun?
Ard Macha
Bhí mé i mBloc a cuig i rith na Stailce
agus bhí Ramey,Frank agus Mairtin inár
sciathan s’againne ag am sin.
Tá súil agam go mbeidh mé in ann cúpla sceil
a thabhairt duit faoi na fir gróga ach go dtí sin
lean ar aghaidh leis an dialann
The Battered Bunnet on 13 March, 2012 at 17:16
Another fantastic post sir, the cap is doffed again :-)
Hail hail
MME
Auldheid
I can’t answer that I’m afraid though I would agree completely with your last paragraph.
With that in mind I wouldn’t think it would matter what religion you were.
I understand that Mr and Mrs Custard of Bluenose Entertainments are extremely grateful to their many fans in the West of Scotland who have today so generously provided for their retirement.
They’re going to play Pass the Parcel to celebrate.
Jelly, Ice Cream, Custard. Why not?
Send in…………….THE CLOWNS!!!
Those daffy, laughy clowns…………
Send in those soulful and doeful, schmotes! by the bowlful, clowns……
Send in the clowns……
They’re. Al.Read.Dy. Herrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Simpsons CSC
A Song for Hugh…
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right,
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you.
Stealers Wheel CSC
James F at 20:04
Thanks for that, perhaps they should have got some of the auld Kano team or the Kano Foundation stalwarts to help with their fundraising :¬)
You’ve been shared as that was too good for CQN alone!
V